Wuhan Institute of Virology head calls coronavirus leak claims 'pure fabrication'

Claims promoted by Trump ministration that global coronavirus pandemic originated at Wuhan Institute of Virology in central Chinese city are a “pure fabrication," institute's director said.

Wang Yanyi was quoted by state media Sunday as saying institute did t have “any kwledge before that r h we ever met, researched or kept virus … We didn’t even kw about existence of virus, so how could it be leaked from our lab when we didn’t have it?”

President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have repeatedly said y suspect virus that was first detected in Wuhan was somehow released from laboratory.

Most scientists say pathogen that has infected 5.3 million and killed more than 342,000, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, was passed from bats to humans via an intermediary species likely sold at a wet market in Wuhan late last year.

virus' toll continued to ebb in Asia and or parts of world, with China on Sunday reporting three new confirmed cases and just 79 people remaining in treatment for COVID-19.

New York Times devoted Sunday’s entire front p to a long list of names of people who have died in pandemic.

names and brief descriptions culled from obituaries from around country fill six columns under heline “U.S. Deaths Near 100,000, an Incalculable Loss."

“y Were t Simply Names on a List. y Were Us,” re subheline.

In Australia, officials said 6 million residents have downloed a mobile telephone app that helps health authorities trace coronavirus infections. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said COVIDSafe app is playing a strong role in Australia’s response to disease.

U.S. is continuing a cautious state-by-state reopening.A pasta company in Spokane, Washington, anunced re was an outbreak at its plant, while Alaska Baseball League canceled its summer season. five-team league is me up of college players from mostly Lower 48 but also from places as far away as Taiwan.

Trump played golf at one of his courses Saturday during Memorial Day weekend as he urged U.S. states to relax ir lockdowns. Yet many Americans remained cautious as number of confirmed cases nationwide passed 1.6 million.

In California, where many businesses and recreational activities are reopening, officials in Los Angeles County said y would maintain tight restrictions until July 4.

Statewide, New York reported its lowest number of daily coronavirus deaths — 84 — in many weeks in what Gov. Andrew Cuomo described as a critical benchmark. daily death tally peaked at 799 on April 8.

Parts of New Orleans stirred to back life, with some restaurants and businesses opening for first time in over two months. Some remained closed, especially in French Quarter, which relies largely on tourist dollars.

Many governments are easing restrictions as y face a political backlash and historic ecomic recessions.

Turkey, which has recorded over 155,000 infections, imposed its toughest lockdown measures yet for Eid al-Fitr holiday marking end of Raman. Yemen’s Houthi rebels urged believers to use masks and stay inside, as authorities try to contain infections at a time usually marked by multigenerational feasting and collective prayer.

In Germany, which has drawn praise for its handling of virus, seven people appear to have been infected at a restaurant in rthwest of country. It would be first such kwn case since restaurants started reopening two weeks ago.

And in Frankfurt, more than 40 people tested positive after a church service of Evangelical Christian Baptist congregation May 10. A church leer said congregation has canceled garings and is w holding services online.

Mindful of evangelical Christians who are key to his base ahe of vember’s election, Trump on Friday called houses of worship “essential” and urged goverrs to let m reopen this weekend. However, leers of many deminations said y plan to move grually and cautiously.

France allowed in-person services to resume Saturday after a legal challenge to a ban on garings in places of worship.

One of world’s major pilgrim sites is reopening Sunday: Church of Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, built on site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected.

Latin America is latest epicenter of virus, and experts te limitations of government action in a region where millions have informal jobs and many police forces are unable to enforce restrictions.

Brazil and Mexico reported record numbers of infections and deaths almost daily this week, fueling criticism of ir presidents for limited lockdowns. But infections also rose and intensive care units were swamped in Peru, Chile and Ecuor, all lauded for imposing early and aggressive business shutdowns and quarantines.

Concerns are rising in India, where new cases showed ar record jump Saturday, topping 6,000 for a second consecutive day as a two-month lockdown has eased.

While some countries are facing a second wave of infections, bly hit Russia is still struggling with its first and reported more than 9,000 new cases Saturday.